Ngongotaha aiming to keep unbeaten record intact

OUT OF ACTION: Ngongotaha AFC's Josh O'Sullivan is one of the team's key players out of action for final WaiBOP Premiership game of the season. PHOTO/ FILE.

Football

By Ruth Dacey

Ngongotaha AFC are prepared for a "tough battle" to keep their unbeaten record intact for the season when they face Matamata Swifts.

The Villagers have only dropped two points on their way to being crowned WaiBOP Premiership champions but must play away at a ground they have failed to win at since 2013.

The table toppers go into their last Premiership game of the season tomorrow after a nail-biting 3-2 victory over Otumoetai FC - which saw them surpass the 100-goal milestone in the competition.

It's an achievement Ngongotaha coach Shane Davis was "over the moon" about.

"Everyone was delighted at the club and I am very proud that we have scored such a huge total," he said.

"I knew at the start of the season we had real quality in the team but I didn't imagine we would be so deadly in front of goal."

But Davis said they had a difficult challenge against their third-placed opponents who he described as an "away bogey team" for Ngongotaha.

"I don't know what it is about this fixture but for a number of years we just can't seem to get points," he said.

"Matamata lift their performance and intensity and always make it hard for us.

"We really seem to struggle on their pitch and it is always one of the difficult games in the season.

"I expect a bit of a battle but hopefully we can finally get rid of our poor record over there."

Ngongotaha will be without captain David Haua and midfielder Alan Ferguson through injury and striker Josh O'Sullivan is unavailable due to suspension.

"It does make it more of a challenge for us but it just means other players will have to step up to the plate," Davis said.

The Villagers have a 16-point cushion at the top of the Premiership after winning 20 out of their 21 matches and a 3-all draw against Waikato Unicol AFC.

"Every player wants to keep this record going and we are fully capable of it," Davis said.

"There have been some very close games, and the key was keeping going and always having that goal scoring mentality.

"That will be exactly the same against Matamata. I don't want to see anything different to how we usually play."

Ngongotaha have lined up an opportunity to clinch a place in the Northern League next year via a post-season playoff series with the team that finishes second in the Auckland league.

"The key to our success has been taking one game at a time," said Davis.

"So we aren't looking ahead yet. We will face the playoff challenge when it is here.

"We have been focused all year and nothing changes now."

Ngongotaha AFC v Matamata Swifts, Matamata Domain 1, 2.45pm.